Bill of sale for purchase of enslaved person, Jim, by Henry Shaw in 1852. Back of record. Jim was most likely the unidentified male captured with Esther, her two children, and Mary Meachum in their bid for freedom in May of 1855. See PHO2020-0040.
While a young merchant in St. Louis Shaw began buying enslaved persons in the 1820s. In 1850 Shaw owned nine and by 1853 eleven; 1860 census records list eight enslaved persons. As with the 1850 census, their names were not listed. Please see the historical timeline for more information.
